Frozen Sandlot returns for fifth season
Plus, Ivy Tech offers SafeServ class; Roe signs her book; Circle of Ivy awards more than $260,000
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Frozen Sandlot returns for fifth season
Bridges Outreach and the City of Kokomo are bringing The Frozen Sandlot back for a 5th year. The ice skating rink has become a staple in the community. The rink will open the Friday after Thanksgiving on Nov. 25. This will start the season which lasts about eight weeks. There will be 34 days open for public skating.
The Frozen Sandlot schedule is available on its website and Facebook page. Several dates are available for groups to rent out the rink or a heated suite. There are birthday packages available that are perfect for winter birthdays. The heated suites make for a great place to host a small or large party.
“We love hosting people from all over Indiana and beyond,” said Travis Taflinger, CEO of Bridges Outreach. “Families have the opportunity to spend time together, get outside, and have some fun!”
Even though prices are rising everywhere, it is important to the City of Kokomo and Bridges Outreach to keep prices affordable. Prices have not increased this year. Admission is still only $7 a ticket. This gives access for the whole day and includes skates. Skaters can even leave and come back without any issues. If a skater brings their own skates, their rate is only $5 which is the same price for spectators. The Frozen Sandlot also serves hot chocolate and keeps skates in a heated tent.
Taflinger said The Frozen Sandlot is a great way for Bridges to employ old students and support the community.
“Ice skating brings back a lot of great memories for adults in our community, and it is a great experience for their children,” said Taflinger. “We love providing this family friendly service to North Central Indiana! “
For more information on planning an event please contact Sarah Ross or Travis Taflinger via email at Travis@bridgesoutreach.com or by calling (765) 452-5723. For more information about The Frozen Sandlot, visit www.thefrozensandlot.com.
Ivy Tech offering SafeServ class Dec. 7
Ivy Tech Community College is offering a one-day instructor-led training course to prepare students to take the ServSafe Food Manager Certification exam. The class will be offered Wed., Dec. 7, at Ivy Tech’s Kokomo campus, 1815 E. Morgan St. The deadline to register is Nov. 28.
Indiana Code 410-IAC7-22 requires mandatory certification of at least one person who oversees the food safety operation within each food establishment. The ServSafe program is developed by the National Restaurant Association with the help of foodservice industry experts. Years of experience and inside knowledge of the food service industry are at the core of the ServSafe courses, exams and materials that prepare students to handle food sanitation risks.
ServSafe certification is valid for five years. The course fee is $155 and includes the manual, all study materials, and the certification exam. The class will start with check-in between 8 and 8:30 a.m. and will run until 3:30 p.m. The exam will start at the conclusion of the class and will last about two hours.
The fee to take the exam without attending the class is $60. The book can be purchased separately for $65. To register for the ServSafe Food Manager class and examination or for more information, please contact Bonnie Devers at bdevers3@ivytech.edu or 765-252-5497. Register online for the class at:
https://www.inrla.org/events/kokomo-servsafe-food-manager-class-and-examination-dec-7
Roe holds book signing
Close to 40 people braved the winds on Nov. 5 to attend the book signing for “Profits Over People,” the true story of Sherry Roe and her successful fight to sue industrial and chemical corporations whose products her late parents were exposed to. As employees of the former Delco/ Delphi manufacturing facilities in Kokomo, Roe’s parents later died of cancer, unknowingly caused by the continual exposure.
Roe’s book, which is in its second printing, is available from her Facebook page, Profits Over People, for $15, and on Amazon at $16.99
Circle of Ivy awards more than $260,000
Ivy Tech Foundation’s Women in Philanthropy Circle of Ivy awarded $263,649 to 84 projects at its seventh annual Circle of Ivy Gathering on Fri., Nov. 4. The initiative raises funds to diminish barriers to higher education for Ivy Tech Community College students. Circle of Ivy has a statewide reach, with a focus specifically on campus needs and projects that positively impact students.
Ivy Tech Kokomo, Logansport, Peru, Rochester, and Tipton Circle of Ivy raised $16,244 to fund five impactful projects.
1. Cash for Completers: Assists students working towards the completion of a certificate, technical certificate, and/or associate degree while in high school. Many of these students face the obstacle of not having the financial means to cover the cost of tuition and fees since high school students are not eligible for financial aid awards.
2. Hispanic/Latinx Education Coalition: Made up of staff, faculty, students, and community members, this coalition strives to impact the Cass County community through educational opportunities at Ivy Tech Community College. The coalition seeks to build relationships and will aid in recruiting and retaining Hispanic/Latinx students making our service area more diverse and multicultural. Funding will include testing fees for foreign language test-out, recruitment materials, snacks for student gathering sessions, swag, and experiences beyond the classroom.
3. CastleBranch Record Portal for Nursing and Health Science Students: Health Care students are required to receive a background check, drug screen, and to demonstrate immunizations before being admitted into their program of study. This information must be submitted through a record-keeping program called CastleBranch. The cost of CastleBranch record portal is a minimum of $130 per student. Funds will support students who do not have resources to purchase the CastleBranch subscription.
4. Fund-A-Friday, ASAP Enrichment: ASAP, Ivy Tech’s accelerated associate degree program, continues to grow in the service area, and the team has grown to support ASAP in both Kokomo and Logansport locations. The support, enrichment, and celebrations all play a role in the experience ASAP students receive while completing a two-year-degree in less than one year. These experiences, in addition to classroom instructional activity and learning environments, are key to their success.
5. New Beginnings: With a greater need to combat the increasing decline in labor force, it is essential to identify untapped populations in the community for potential growth opportunities and advancement; short-term (e.g. forklift) training for reentry (second-chance citizens) have the ability to meet that need. The ability to provide short-term training certificates can foster stable employment and positively impact the workforce and community, as well as reduce recidivism. Overall, providing a new beginning in forklift training can address the numerous needs for employers as well as the community in a positive way.
“This organization has done so much over the years and continues to provide transformative experiences for Ivy Tech students. When women join together, we are a force for good. We are so proud of all the projects that have been funded by the Circle of Ivy,” said Courtney Roberts, President of the Ivy Tech Foundation.
Since its inception in 2015, Circle of Ivy has grown to more than 1,000 members. In seven years, the members have raised more than $1 million to assist with 384 projects. To learn more about Circle of Ivy visit ivytech.edu/circleofivy.